How to Choose and Take Care of your Crapemyrtle

Crepe myrtles need regular minor pruning.

Crapemyrtle is an evergreen tree that typically grows about 15 to 20 feet tall, though there are dwarf varieties that never grow over 4 or 5 feet in height. It comes in a wide range of colors, with white, lavender, red and pink being the most frequently seen. When choosing a crapemyrtle it is important to get the best tree for your climate and the space you have for it. It is common to prune crapemyrtles but not always necessary.

Things You'll Need

• Fertilizer
• Pruning shears
• Fungicide
• Water hose

Instructions

1. Plan your spacing. This will help you to decide what size crapemyrtle you should get. The 'Acoma,' for example, grows no more than 10 feet tall, while the 'Balsam's Party Pink' tree can be as much as 50 feet high. Avoid placing a very large tree under power lines, too near the house or in other areas where its mature size might cause problems.

2. Pick a crapemyrtle that has features that appeal to you. It should be suitable for your planting zone. For pink try either the 'Biloxi' or Caddo,' while the 'Byers Wonderful White' is a good choice for all white blossoms.

3. Plant the tree in a hole that is large enough to hold its roots without cramping or bending them. The crapemyrtle does best in full sun, which helps it to bloom well and to avoid powdery mildew.

4. Fertilize the tree once each spring. Use a good, general-purpose fertilizer and apply it out as far as the drip line, or the edges of the branches. According to the Texas Master Gardener program, that's all it needs to keep it growing well.

5. Water the tree well if the weather is dry and less than an inch of rain falls per week. This will keep the tree healthy and growing properly.

6. Prune dead and broken branches from the tree any time they occur. You can prune in the winter or very early spring but only to give the tree shape and definition. Flowers grow on new growth each year, so don't prune living branches once spring growth has started. Remove suckers from the trunk as they appear.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant several crapemyrtles of the same color in a single area to create a stunning display of color that lasts for months.

• Crapemyrtle is prone to powdery mildew and if affected by it the tree could eventually die. Spray any affected tree with an appropriate fungicide to get rid of this disease.

• Although some people feel that crapemyrtles must be pruned back severely, doing this affects the beauty of the tree and does not appear to enhance blooming. Don't destroy the overall look of the tree with aggressive pruning.

References

• North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension: Select Crapemyrtle Cultivars
• National Gardening Association: Crape Myrtle
• Texas A&M University Master Gardener Program; Should I Prune My Crape Myrtles?; Annette Wallfisch